UCS researchers compared the amount of carbon dioxide — the chief heat-trapping gas that drives global warming — from driving, flying, traveling by train or bus, and also compared per-person emissions for solo travelers versus those traveling in pairs or as a family of four. Here are some of their findings:
_For trips of more than 500 miles, if you're traveling solo or with one other person, it's greener to fly direct in coach than to drive, according to the UCS.
_First-class seating takes up more space than coach seating, so the average first-class passenger on a domestic flight is responsible for generating twice as much carbon as someone seated in coach, UCS says. Budget airlines with no first-class seats can lower a plane's per-person emissions 10 to 15 percent.
_Compared with flying coach, a couple traveling on a bus will cut their trip's carbon dioxide emissions 55 to 75 percent, depending on the distance traveled. Compared to even a fuel-efficient hybrid car, a bus trip would cut a couple's trip emissions nearly in half. Bus travel is usually less expensive than flying and for a solo traveler, can be cheaper than driving.
_Trains emit 60 percent less carbon per passenger-mile than a typical car with a single occupant. And compared with a 500-mile trip on a small jet plane, a train emits roughly 30 percent less carbon. Trains also can save money by dropping you in city centers, so you don't need to get a taxi or rental car to get into town.
_The type of car you use for a road trip makes a big difference. An SUV emits nearly four times the amount of carbon dioxide emissions of a highly efficient hybrid such as a Toyota Prius, and uses nearly four times the amount of gas.
_Traveling off-peak can also lower your carbon footprint and travel bills. Spending less time in traffic means better mileage and lower fuel bills; flying off-peak means your plane won't be wasting fuel in a holding pattern and your ticket could be cheaper.
More details at http://tinyurl.com/5uzj9u.
No comments:
Post a Comment